Claude A. Hess

CLAUDE A. HESS, the accommodating agent for The Central Coal & Coke Company at Weir City, was born in 1877 in Ohio, and is a son of David and Nancy (Landis) Hess.

David Hess, who is a native of Ohio, is now a resident of Deepwater, Missouri, having been an invalid for some years. The mother has passed away. The family consisted of eight children, viz: Lizzie, Joseph, Emma, Lettie, Mary, Ira, Myrtle and Claude A. Ira is a resident of Crawford County, Kansas, and is also in the employ of The Central Coal & Coke Company.

Claude A. Hess was educated at Deepwater, Missouri, and began his business life as a clerk with The Central Coal & Coke Company. He was rapidly advanced to the position of chief clerk, then to that of bookkeeper, and then was placed in charge of the store at Nelson, Crawford County, Kansas. He continued in the employ of the company in these capacities from November 1, 1898, until 1900, when he was transferred to Weir City, and was bookkeeper at this point until 1902. Then he was appointed agent for the company,—a responsible position which he still fills. Mr. Hess also has charge of the payment of the miners at the shafts, a position of the greatest trust.

Mr. Hess is very highly appreciated by the company, and his long continuance with it speaks for itself as to his ability and efficiency. He owes his success in life to his own efforts, to his fidelity to the interests of his employers, and to a pleasing personality which easily wins friendly regard.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 1/9/97.